Assessment of genotype × environment interaction and yield stability of grain maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Shiraz, Iran.

2 Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran.

3 Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran

4 Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Mashhad, Iran.

5 Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Kerman, Iran.

6 Kermanshah Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Kermanshah, Iran.

7 Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Isfahan, Iran.

8 Mazandaran Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Sari, Iran.

9 West Azerbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Urmia, Iran.

10.22092/cbj.2025.368964.1095

Abstract

Understanding the genotype × environmental interaction in the maize (Zea mays) breeding programs is necessary for finding high yielding and stable yield genotypes for different environmental conditions, enhancing breeding efficiency and crop productivity. To identify early-maturing maize hybrids that possess both high yield and yield stability, 11 hybrids including four promising three-way crosses and seven promising single crosses along with three single-cross hybrids (cv. Dehghan, cv. Fajr, and cv. Koosha) as control were evaluated across nine locations over two consecutive growing seasons (18 environments). The experimental design was randomized complete blocks with four replications. Phenological traits including silking, anthesis and physiological maturity dates, as well as grain yield, and yield components were measured and recorded. Combined analysis revealed significant effects of hybrid, growing season, location and their interaction on grain yield, emphasizing on the necessity of multi-environment trials to identify superior and stable yield grain maize hybrids. Grain yield showed positive correlation with all traits, except for cob percentage and kernel moisture content. The yield stability analysis using different yield stability indices showed high variation among hybrids. The hybrids were ranked based on grain yield and eight stability indices. Hybrids H, H11, H2, H4 and H5 achieved higher rank and were grouped as stable yield hybrids. The GGE biplot divided nine experimental locations into two major sectors and identified H8, H11, H10, H5 and H4 as winning hybrids adapted to specific environments. The first sector included Karaj, Miandoab, Kerman, Moghan and Sari with H11 and H8 and H4 as the winning hybrids, and the second sector comprised Shiraz, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Mashhad where H5 and H10 were the best-performing hybrids. The visualization of the ideal genotype demonstrates that H4 followed by H11 were located in close proximity to the ideal genotype. The single cross hybrid H11 (KE 76009/312 × K 1264/5-1) and the three-way cross hybrid H4 (KE 77008/1 × KSC260) performed significantly different from the control hybrids, producing the highest grain yield of 11.447 and 11.238 t ha-1, respectively. The GGE biplot and complementary yield stability analyses consistently identified H11 and H4 (from the FAO group 400) as desirable hybrids with high stable grain yield, therefore suitable for being commercially released.

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Main Subjects

References

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Crop Breeding Journal
Volume 15, Issue 2
September 2025
Pages 1-19

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